It is rather stark in its simplicity, but perhaps such stark simplicity is representative of that horrible time in our history. Over 58,000 of our men and women and over 3 million Vietnamese died for no good reason. Yet our soldiers answered the call and did the best they could under very difficult circumstances. They were often shunned when they came home. I'm glad to see these memorials all over the country - I just wish they had more impact on the powers-that-be who send our young off to die for causes that in the end come to be judged illegitimate and stupid.

«Louis» always appreciates posts remembering those who have fallen while in service. Vietnam could have had a much happier ending had not the politicians mucked it up, costing lives of both civilians and soldiers needlessly.

Apropos to this post: comments by General David Petraeus, accepting an award at the American Enterprise Institute's Irving Kristol Award dinner on 6 May:" I accept the Irving Kristol award this evening on behalf of the more than 210,000 troopers deployed at sea, in the air, and on the ground in the CENTCOM area of operations. As all of you know, these troopers endure long separations from their loved ones; operate in cultures vastly different than our own; confront ruthless, barbaric enemies; and carry out complex missions under tough conditions. And I know that this audience agrees that they--and their families--deserve enormous support and admiration.

I can remember a time when members of our military did not always receive the support they deserved. Two generations ago, we were engaged in war in Southeast Asia. American men and women in uniform fought with skill and valor for the sake of the country they loved and took an oath to defend. Many of them bled, and more than 58,000 of them died. With every one of those casualties, a family and a community were heartbroken, mourning a loss that could never be recovered, whose grief could never fully be assuaged.

But those returning from Vietnam often were not treated as the heroes they were. Recalling that, those of us in the military today are thankful beyond words that the American people seem to have such high regard and affection for their men and women in uniform.

Working with those men and women every day, seeing them perform missions in the toughest of circumstances imaginable, I can tell you that the regard and affection accorded our troopers are fully merited."